Two in Monroe County Charged with Animal Cruelty

SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP — State humane officers said Dan Sweeny and Julie Forsyth were housing animals in disgusting conditions on a property near East Stroudsburg.

So far, six animals have been taken from the couple, five dogs and one miniature horse.

In total, humane officers say the two had more than 70 animals, including Chihuahuas, Greyhounds, Australian Shepherds and miniature horses.

Sweeny and Forsyth are accused of running an unlicensed kennel and the two are charged with more than 200 violations of the state dog law.

Investigators said some of the animals were so cramped they couldn’t even turn around.

“Oh, it was just horrible, horrible. It’s like, ‘oh my gosh, how can people do that to animals’? Obviously they don’t care for animals or they wouldn’t be doing it. It’s terrible,” said Kathy Cramer.

Cramer works at her daughter’s licensed private kennel in Analomink, not far from the Sweeny/Forsyth property.

Cramer’s daughter, Heather Maring said people accused of cruelty make things harder and harder for business owners like herself.

She said because of them, the kennel laws are very strict in Pennsylvania.

“People who are legitimate and love animals, they’re becoming tougher and tougher and tougher and people who actually care for them, they’re going to be forcing out of business,” said Maring, whose business is called Heather’s House of Dobes.

Investigators said they are working with Sweeny and Forsyth to clean things up and reduce the number of animals on the property.

Maring said unfortunately, there will always be cases of people mistreating animals.

“There’s a lot of people who are out there that really haven’t recognized ,that are just under the covers and I’m sure they’re going to find more and more as they go,” said Maring.

Humane officials said the animals taken from Forsyth and Sweeny are in foster care and doing well.

Again, those officials said they are working with Forsyth and Sweeny to make things better for the animals left on that property, including cleaning things up and vaccinating the animals.